Bolton, spinners give Aus women big win vs India
VADODARA: Opener Nicole Bolton struck an unbeaten 100 off 101 balls after Australian spinners bamboozled the Indian batting to set up a crushing eight-wicket win in the opening game of the three-match series, which is part of the ICC Women’s Championship.
Bolton’s fourth ODI hundred ensured Australia reached a modest 201-run target in just 32.1 overs. The experienced Ellyse Perry (25 not out) hit the winning four.
India would have been bowled out for far less if it was not for the 76-run partnership between Sushma Verma (41) and Pooja Vastrakar (51) for the eighth wicket, helping them muster 200 in 50 overs.
Left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen led a stellar show from the Australian spinners, taking four wickets for 30 runs in 10 overs. Leggie Amanda-Jade Wellington picked up three wickets and Ashleigh Gardner removed Smriti Mandhana (12).
It was a sweet result for the visitors, who had lost to India in the World Cup semifinals. The second ODI will be played here on Thursday.
India were dealt a big blow even before the start of the game with captain Mithali Raj ruled out due to illness.
Stand-in skipper Harmanpreet Kaur said the team needs to put up a better effort in all three departments.
“It was a hard day for us. We didn’t play good cricket and didn’t deserve to win. She (Mithali Raj’s absence) is an important player for us,” said Harmanpreet. “But happy that the lower middle-order batted well. We didn’t have enough on the board and then we didn’t bowl according to the field. She (Pooja Vastrakar) played very well in South Africa and she showed her character today as well.
“We are expecting more good performances from her. We need to improve our batting and the bowlers need to contribute better,” she added.
Australia were never in any sort of difficulty during the chase
Brief scores
India women 200 in 50 overs (P Vastrakar 51, S Verma 41, J Jonassen 4/30) vs Australia women 202/2 in 32.1 overs (N Bolton 100*, A Healy 38)